January has that deep-winter feeling—short days, chilly mornings and maybe a little more time spent indoors with a blanket and a hot drink. It’s also the perfect moment to look beyond the gray skies and start dreaming about where you’d rather be: watching a sunset from your balcony, wandering a new port town, or sipping coffee on deck as the ship glides into a new harbor.
In the cruise world, this is called Wave Season—typically January through March—when cruise lines roll out some of their best offers, added-value perks and future-sailing deals. It’s a bit like the “new year, new adventures” window for cruise lovers (and cruise-curious travelers). Booking during Wave Season can mean benefits like onboard credits, included Wi-Fi or drinks packages on certain sailings, extra savings or added amenities that stretch your vacation dollars further.
It’s also a smart time to plan if you’re looking at popular itineraries—think Europe in peak season, Alaska, holiday sailings or bucket-list cruises—because the best cabins and dates tend to go early. Instead of waiting until spring or summer (when options are more limited), January is your chance to grab that ideal itinerary, cabin location and price combo while selections are wide open.
As a cruise-focused travel advisor, I’m here to help you sort through the Wave Season noise: matching the right line, ship and itinerary to your travel style and budget, and flagging which offers actually deliver good value for you (not just flashy headlines). We’ll talk through what you want most—quiet vs. lively, small-ship vs. big-ship, river vs. ocean, ultra-inclusive vs. pay-as-you-go—and build from there.
👉 Ready to trade snow boots for sea days (or at least get something fun on the calendar)?
Start exploring cruise ideas and offers here:
Welcome to Wave Season – with Heidi Dent
Book now, and by the time the weather warms up at home, you’ll already have a cruise countdown to look forward to.